Pleas to pass a transportation sales tax were incorporated into discussions about promoting economic development in Georgia during a Thursday breakfast meeting for area business executives.

Georgia Department of Economic Development Commissioner Chris Cummiskey and state Rep. Ben Harbin both characterized the T-SPLOST as an engine to drive development during the meeting sponsored by the Columbia County Chamber of Commerce at Savannah Rapids Pavilion.

Firefighters extinguished a blaze today that started in the chimney of a Martinez townhome before it spread to other units.

A man had started a fire in his fireplace at the home on Joshua Tree Drive when he walked outside and saw smoke coming out from the wall housing the chimney, said Martinez-Columbia Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Danny Kuhlmann.

The man called firefighters at about 4:45 p.m. and escaped the home with his daughter.

A hotel clerk called authorities early Wednesday claiming two armed and disguised men tried to get into the hotel office.

The night clerk called 911 after seeing two men try to get into the office of the Red Roof Inn on Belair Frontage Road near Interstate 20, according to a Columbia County Sheriff’s Office incident report.

Three men on trial for sexually assaulting a teen at a party last fall pled guilty to false imprisonment Friday just before a judge was going to declare a mistrial because of a hung jury.

The trial of Jason Scott Turner, 22, of Evans; Robert Lincoln Levy, 21, of Augusta; and Tyler William Davitte, 23, of Martinez; started Oct. 31 The three were charged with aggravated sexual battery in connection to an assault, which occurred at a home on Shaw Street in Martinez.